(Most figures are from the Bureau of Meteorology station at Mount Duneed – called “Geelong AP AWS”, and averages from 1983-2009) Month Weather Conditions Temps (deg C) Rainfall (mm) Cumulative Rainfall Comments JAN Warmer by 0.4C. New records: max 45.3 on 29th, min 4.5 on 3rd. 8 days >30, incl 3 >43C – worst heat wave since 1908 (4…
Category: 2009
December 2009
RAINFALL Generally rainfall in December was below average across the Geelong-Otways Region. Urban Geelong received falls between 25 and 35 mm, compared with the December average 41mm. Rain fell on just 6 days and the heaviest recorded was a fall of around 20mm across Geelong on the 18th. On New Year’s Eve a spectacular electrical storm, which caused only minor…
November 2009
RAINFALL Geelong received well above average rainfall with 75-130 mm falling across the urban area and 90.4 at Geelong Airport. (November average is 51 mm.) Totals varied from 75 mm at Lara to 130 mm at Hamlyn Heights. It has been the wettest month of the year. The western Otways were generally below average because much of the rain originated…
October 2009
RAINFALL Despite a poor monthly total for October, the Geelong region’s rainfall has been around average over the June to October period. As a result, vegetation growth has boomed during the winter-spring and soil moisture levels and the dams are becoming replenished. In October the Geelong urban area received only around 30 mm – Geelong Airport AWS average is 50.8…
September 2009
RAINFALL For the third month in a row Geelong and the surrounding region has had above average rain. Urban Geelong averaged over 60 mm on 16 days in September (wettest September since 2005) and the West Barwon Dam received 114 mm. Even most areas to the northwest such as Avalon, Anakie and Sheoaks reported above average falls. This is a…
August 2009
RAINFALL This is a time for rejoicing in the catchment! The West Barwon Dam at Forrest has received well above average rain for the last two months. August’s figure of 205.6 mm is a welcome return to normal or better winter rains for Geelong’s water supplies which have risen to over 26% of capacity for the first time this year.…
July 2009
RAINFALL The Geelong urban area generally saw around average July rainfalls despite official figures released by the Bureau of Meteorology.Officially the figure at the Airport at Mt Duneed was 32.8 mm for the month, compared to an average 51 mm. However the urban area generally had totals between 30mm in the north and and 60+ mm in the south and…
June 2009
RAINFALL Geelong’s six-monthly rainfall from January to June this year rivals last year’s disastrous result. With just 30 mm recorded in the urban area Geelong has had only around 50% of its 6-monthly average of 240mm, namely 123 mm. This is the second worst start to a rainfall year since 1967, when only 98mm was received. Last year, 2008, was…
May 2009
RAINFALL “A disappointing result for May and for autumn in general” was how Geelong Weather Services’ Director Lindsay Smail described Geelong’s latest rainfall figures. Only 20mm fell across the urban area in May (average 48mm), and a total of 90mm for autumn (average 125mm). “This continues the long run of depleted autumn rainfalls in this region, a feature of nine…
April 2009
RAINFALL With around 40 mm falling across the urban area Geelong has continued to enjoy average rainfall for two months running after a dry start to the year. Otway catchment areas were patchy, with Mt Sabine receiving 154mm and West Barwon only 69mm. Very dry subsoils have ensured that runoff has unfortunately been minimal. In Geelong rain fell on 13…
March 2009
RAINFALL For just the third time in the last 15 months Geelong has recorded above average rain. March is normally Geelong’s driest month with an average of 30 mm but this time we managed to get 35.2mm, said Lindsay Smail of Geelong Weather Services. It was a welcome return after our driest January-February since 1891. Rain fell on 14 days…
February 2009
RAINFALL A miserable 2.2mm was recorded at the Mt Duneed Airport AWS in February. This was not Geelong’s driest ever February, but, added to the 1mm in Januaryit marked the driest start to the year since 1891, almost an all-time record. There were only 4 rain days, but thunder / lightning was experienced ontwo days. Much of the precipitation received…
January 2009
RAINFALL Despite some popular opinion this has not quite been Geelong’s driest January. The Weather Station at Mt Duneed has only been operating since 1983 and it has certainly been the driest one since then. Only 0.4 mm was recorded this time, but in 1878 the North Geelong station received no January rain at all. So it is true to…